The Venice International Film Festival, one of the oldest film festivals globally, has recognized Anuparna Roy, making her the first Indian director to receive an award at the prestigious event. Roy was honored with the Best Director award for her film ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees.’ Following her victory, she expressed her joy and shared insights into the film’s significance.
At the 82nd Venice Film Festival held in Italy, Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy achieved a remarkable feat, etching her name in history. Upon receiving the award, Roy articulated her happiness and discussed the film’s essence. She stated, ‘I would say that this comes with a big responsibility, both as an Indian filmmaker and as a global citizen. It certainly makes me proud and helps me to move forward in life.’
The film delves into the story of a girl named Thuya, a narrative that resonates deeply with Roy on a personal level. Roy explained, ‘I’ve observed my grandmother and her stepdaughter, who were the same age. My grandmother was a child bride, and as soon as she entered the house, she discovered that her stepdaughter was her age. They became more like friends than mother and daughter, and this bond propelled them forward. After my grandfather’s death, they ran the entire family together.’
She also recounted her childhood friend, whom she lost contact with due to caste-based discrimination. Discussing her friend’s journey, the director said, ‘When I found out that she got married at the age of 13 under a government initiative, my heart broke. Her aspect comes in this way in the film.’ ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ portrays the stories of two such girls. Naz Sheikh and Sumi Baghel star as the lead actresses in the film.
